The Kirby Stone Four (1960) - Kids

Set in 1958, and inspired by Elvis Presley's induction into the US Army, the musical "Bye Bye Birdie" (book by Michael Stewart, lyrics by Lee Adams, music by Charles Strouse) opened on Broadway on 14 April, 1960, with The Kirby Stone Fours rendition of "Kids", being released as a single on the Columbia label the following month.
In 1963, a film version of the musical was released, starring Ann Margaret, Dick Van Dyke, Maureen Stapleton, Janet Leigh, Paul Lynde, Bobby Rydell, and Jesse Pearson in the lead role of Conrad Birdie. This clip features a number of movie stills, promotional posters and lobby cards from the film.
It is interesting to note that although The Kirby Stone Four are best remembered for their 1958 hit "Baubles, Bangles And Beads" (which earned them a Grammy Award nomination), in Australia, "Kids" actually sold more copies as a 45 RPM single, with both being released on Columbia's subsidiary label, Coronet.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Kids
• Kirby Stone Four
• Kirby Stone
• Michael Gardner
• Larry Foster
• Eddie Hall
• Bye Bye Birdie
• Ann Margaret
• Bobby Rydell

[USRoute66]

This is absolutely fantastic. Maybe we can talk the "Collectables" label into releasing another Kirby Stone Four CD from the Columbia years? I would buy it in a heartbeat. Incidentally, on the first two Columbia LPs that Kirby Stone released in 1958-1959, there is a female vocal group accompanying them. I am curious, as to who they are?

[NBCRecords]

I seem to recall Eddie Hall mentioning that the girls on the Columbia recordings were simply studio backing singers. The only time that the female singers were listed was on the 1962 Columbia release "Guys & Dolls", which included Mary Mayo, Elise Bretton, Lillian Oliver, Marilyn Gaines, Miriam Workman and Julie Stone (Kirby's wife). Although I am fairly certain Julie Stone only appeared on this album with The KS4, some of the other girls may have been on the earlier albums you mentioned.

[duhwolf]

@NBCRecords how do you know all this about KS$?

[NBCRecords]

@duhwolf, good question! I grew up listening to the 'Baubles, Bangles & Beads' LP and over time collected the rest of the groups material (as well as the small amount of non KS4 the members recorded). I have also been fortunate enough to have met 2 of the members of the group (Michael and Eddie), as well as Kirby's brother and daughter, and Michael's sons. Whatever I do know is a combination of what I have listened to in the music, liner notes on albums and what the families have shared with me.

[jonbecker03]

@USRoute66 whoever these women may have been, they don't contribute much to this recording. the female vocal group sounds shrill and unmusical. these women may have been very talented, but apparently they were INSTRUCTED to sing this way by some wrongheaded producer. otherwise, this isn't a bad tune. in fact, it's kinda cute........

[VanWhistler]

I stole the vinyl LP this song is from . Got it in a shop in Nottingham.

[sproutcentral]

I remember it now...I reckon it's 40 years since I heard it too.

[fjbutch]

Been waiting to hear this song for 40 odd years..no bugger had had clue what I was on about....mate!! ....here it is..

Thanks NBC..Champions !!!

[josbowie]

still has impact!

[duhwolf]

thanks NBC . great post and video pics